Mayor releases FY14 budget proposal for Melrose

Mayor Rob Dolan has big plans for the city in the coming year — several of which he outlined in the operating budget for fiscal 2014 during a press conference on May 2.

Jessica Sacco/ jsacco@wickedlocal.com

Mayor Rob Dolan has big plans for the city in the coming year — several of which he outlined in the operating budget for fiscal 2014 during a press conference on May 2.

The total city budget stands around $68 million — a 2.76 percent increase from last year, when it was approximately $65.3 million.

City auditor Patrick Dello Russo said the augment comes from the Proposition 2 1/2 increase (the limit on how much cities and towns are allowed to raise property taxes each year), new growth and a boost in state aid of more than 2 percent.

Dolan presented the budget to the Board of Aldermen (BOA) on Monday, stating he is satisfied and confident his plan meets the needs of city government and residents.

“It is a structurally balanced budget that draws on secure and conservative revenue expectations and offers responsible expenditure proposals that reflect my administration’s priorities and, I believe, the priorities of the citizens of Melrose as a whole,” he said in his remarks.

The BOA will now start meeting on individual departments’ budgets, beginning at their appropriations meeting Thursday night.

Police vehicles

As part of the police department’s budget, the city will put about $235,000 toward five new police vehicles and a motorcycle.

“We certainly need to update our fleet,” Police Chief Mike Lyle told the Free Press. “It’s been a big problem here for repairs of vehicles that are no longer serviceable.”

The department will lease four Ford police interceptor utility vehicles — a front-wheel drive car with rear-wheel assist — as well as a new administrative sedan. Along with the motorcycle, these vehicles will replace 40 percent of the department’s current fleet.

The interceptors are more fuel-efficient and outfitted with new radios, laptops and safety equipment, Lyle said.

As of now, officers are working with the Dodge Chargers and Ford Crown Victorias, which Lyle said showed their limitations in the winter months.

“We live in New England, we work in New England, this past winter really demonstrated how much public safety needs all-wheel drive vehicles,” he said.

Lyle said he hopes to have the vehicles on the road before July 1.

Roads, water, sewer

Dolan and city officials also plan to invest millions into Melrose’s roads and water system over the next three years.

“We have seen a major increase in Chapter 90 money, which is road money,” he said, adding the city is expected to receive $800,000 each year, for three years, from the state.

“Any time you can get that money from the state, it’s so needed,” Dello Russo told the Free Press. “Especially after the winter, it’s really going to help.”

Along with Chapter 90 money, the city will ask the BOA for $500,000 each year — bringing their total to $1.3 million to complete necessary road repairs.

Through a survey completed by the Department of Public Works (DPW), all roads were categorized based on condition, allowing city officials to prioritize future roadwork to the streets with the most need.

This month Dolan approach the BOA about replacing water mains on Linwood Avenue and East Foster Street. A set amount for the bond is yet to be determined, but will be funded through an interest-free loan from the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority.

Major road upgrades are also slated for the Lebanon Street area — from Green Street to Grove Street — including street, curb, sidewalk, streetlights and pedestrian safety improvements.

The $4.25 million project is scheduled to start in 2014 and is paid for by Massachusetts Transportation Improvement Program.

Veterans

If all goes as planned, Reading will become the third community to join Melrose’s veterans district — which already includes Saugus and Wakefield — this fall.

“We’ve been discussing expanding the district to include Reading, but we want to make sure it’s done in a way that benefits each community and we need to go through the approval process in each community,” said Ryan McLane, district director of Veteran Services.

The Veterans Advisory Board, in conjunction with the DPW, will restore the World War I memorial that stands across from the middle school on Lynn Fells Parkway.

“There was a big controversy about the disrepair when we were doing the dog park,” Dolan said. “We are investing $7,000 of city money and $5,000 donation — it will be a $12,000 renovation of the World War I memorial in the park this summer.”

Improvements will include landscaping and cleaning the area, along with repairing the steps to the top of the Knoll (where there will soon be a reflection space for visitors), replanting the front area and adding new signage.

Citizens’ Municipal University

To better help the public understand how the budget and city laws work, Dolan plans to hold three educational forums.

One will focus on the school budget, another on Proposition 2 1/2 and a third on zoning and planning regulations for homes and businesses.

“Almost like a very easy…not lecture, but kind of public education,” Dolan said.